Talk:Midrash HaGadol

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Ambiguity[edit]

The first sentence of this article says: Midrash HaGadol or The Great Midrash (Hebrew: מדרש הגדול) is an anonymous late (14th century) compilation of aggadic midrashim on the Pentateuch taken from the two Talmuds and earlier Midrashim of Yemenite provenance. Does that mean the Midrash HaGadol is of Yeminite origin, or the Midrashim? The sentence as is, makes it look as though the Midrashim, while I think the real intent was to the Midrash HaGadol. Debresser (talk) 13:45, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

The inference there is to the Midrash HaGadol, since the compiler of this more recent Midrash did not append his name to the work that he painstakingly copied from various Jewish manuscripts. There is a dispute among scholars whether or not the author was Rabbi David al-Adeni, or a son of Rambam. The former opinion is now generally espoused by scholars, including Zvi Meir Rabinowitz who writes in the Introduction to the Midrash HaGadol (Book of Numbers), Mossad Harav Kook edition, p. 7: כידוע זכותו הגדולה של ר' דוד העדני היא הבאת ספרי זוטא במדרש הגדול. Davidbena (talk) 15:10, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

User:Debresser, I noticed where you changed the spelling of Mossad Harav Kook for "Mosad Harav Kook," although this latter spelling is not even used in the Wikipedia article which treats on that subject. As you can see by the following web-pages, the spelling is precisely as I have given:

I have, therefore, decided to replace it for the conventional spelling, although I do appreciate your constructive criticism. Be well.Davidbena (talk) 21:31, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

See my note on that talkpage. Debresser (talk) 21:44, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I saw your note. The overwhelming majority use the spelling "Mossad," even on stationary and transactions made by the "Mossad Harav Kook." The "Official Web-Page" which you mentioned is in Hebrew, rather than in English. It is not a question of a "dagesh" in the letter "samekh," but rather a question of reading it לעיל or לרע. I see it as a trivial matter. Besides, on Wikipedia it is "Mossad Harav Kook."--Davidbena (talk) 22:05, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

This discussion should really be held there, but since you raised the issue here. 1. The website is in Hebrew, but the URL is at "mosadharavkook", with only one "s". 2. I don't think mil'el or mil'ra is the issue, although I understand what you mean. 3. The spelling on Wikipedia can be changed, if that would be justified. Wikipedia is not a source. 4. If you can prove what you said that stationary and transactions use "Mosad", then that would close the issue as far as I am concerned. Debresser (talk) 22:34, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I have many books published from Mossad HaRav Kook, and in the cover of the Midrash HaGadol printed by the Mossad Harav Kook Institute it writes explicitly: "Copyright by Mossad Harav Kook." Check it for yourself. That, my friend, is their official spelling. If you'd like, I can scan the page for you this coming morning, since I'm at work right now.Davidbena (talk) 23:35, 25 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Meanwhile, here's another publication that you can see, printed by the Mossad Ha-Rav Kook.Davidbena (talk) 00:04, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I received your email with a scan of the title page of a book published by them, and it indeed uses "Mossad". Thank you for clarifying this to me. Debresser (talk) 06:39, 26 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Intro criticism[edit]

I like to offer some criticism on the article's intro text:

Midrash HaGadol or The Great Midrash (Hebrew: מדרש הגדול), written by Rabbi David Adani of Yemen (14th century), is a compilation of aggadic midrashim on the Pentateuch taken from the two Talmuds and earlier midrashim of Yemenite provenance.[1] In addition, it borrows quotations from the Targums, Maimonides,[2] and Kabbalistic writings,[3] and in this aspect is unique among the various midrashic collections.

While correct, it is full of technical terms making it incomprehensible for a general audience.E.g aggadic midrash. I hope someone takes the time to rewrite it to make it more accessible. ImTheIP (talk) 04:24, 2 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

You have a point. I will try to edit it. Ar2332 (talk) 08:32, 15 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]